A gay and lesbian response to the State of the Union.

[dsc]

We gays and lesbians know something of bullies. Mr. President, you sir are a bully. You showed your true nature when you said this:

A strong America must also value the institution of marriage. I believe we should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fundamental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress has already taken a stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That statute protects marriage under Federal law as the union of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for other states. Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.

The outcome of this debate is important -- and so is the way we conduct it. The same moral tradition that defines marriage also teaches that each individual has dignity and value in God's sight.

Mr. President, some of us were scared of bullies in school. We felt so bad about ourselves we somehow felt we deserved the second class treatment we were getting. Well no more Mr. President. We will fight you and we will win.

We will fight you in the House. We will fight you in the Senate. We will fight you in the state legislatures. We will fight you in the churches. We will fight you in the streets. We will fight you in the gutters where you chose to take us. We will fight you and we will win. When you wonder why we kicked your ass, it will have been this "If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process."

We know what "judges forcing their arbitrary will on us" is like. That is why you were in the rostrum delivering your hateful speech. The Constitution handed down by our founders is not the arbitrary will of judges. It is not some paper written after one of your all night binges. It is the floor plan of the house that is our democracy. And squatters don't get to put additions on the house. We will fight you, and we will win.

Who are we? We teach your kids and fix your cars. We cook your food, and invest your money. We grace your screen and landscape your yards. We cut your hair and quarterback your team. We have organized the Continental Army, painted the Sistine Chapel, cracked the Enigma, represented you in the Texas House, and even defended the country in your absence without leave in Alabama.

But that is not why we have a right to marriage. One doesn't earn rights. They are bestowed upon us by our creator. And similarly the fact you are an unelected fraud isn't why you don't get to take them away. For a right to be a right, we shouldn't have to beg a potentate for them on bended knee. You are not our creator and you don't get to take away what he has bestowed.

There are many reasons that you deserve a one way ticket back to Crawford but first among them is this speech. You have used a pulpit that Franklin Roosevelt used to defeat Hitler, Truman used to save Europe, Kennedy used to reach for the stars, Johnson used to fight a war on racism and poverty, and Clinton used to try to bring health care to all to sow division. You are the first President since Wilson to use that pulpit to advocate an amendment restricting people's rights. For that you should be sent back to Crawford to ride an SUV on your fake ranch. And sir, we will send you there.

Mr. President, history will judge you harshly. We will be happy to hasten that day. We don't hate you Mr. President we hate what you have done. Your craven presence in the citadel of Democracy is more than we can bear. But it will almost be worth the joy of seeing you sent back to Texas and knowing we helped do it. We will fight you and we will win.

We are not angry we are outraged. You have turned us into gays and lesbians first and Americans second. We deserve better. The country deserves better. You are neither compassionate nor conservative. True compassion wouldn't permit a two tiered system of rights and true conservatism would honor our Constitution. Our constitution is not some laundry list on which you can spill white out at will. True conservatives leave things alone. They protect our rights they don't trample them. Real conservatives know what history is, sir. You are no conservative. We will fight you, and we will win.

Mr. President, our rights are not milk money to be taken to feed your steroid habit. We know how to deal with bullies like you, we stand up to you and kick your ass. We won't scurry in fear. We will fight you, and we will win. Count on it and remember it when you take that long ride back to Crawford.

[Cannikin]

1. Amen.

[The Zanti Regent]

23. Why is Andrew Sullivan now silent on this?

Flood that fake with e-mails, ask him why he condones gay and lesbian bashing by President Adulterer!

[sandnsea]

2. I'm crying,

You make it hard to be angry at you DSC! Can I post this on the Kerry forum? I'll make sure they know you're a Dean supporter.

[dsc]

24. BTW I would be very honored if you did post this

please let me know if you do so I can see it and what reaction it gets.

[Sapphocrat]

3. That was BEAUTIFUL.

Simply beautiful, dsc. Much more eloquent than I could ever manage in my current state of rage (or otherwise).

Can we post this everywhere? It deserves wide exposure.

Actually, come to think of it, you should submit this as an article to DU -- or truthout.

[arwalden]

33. Yep... The Only Words I Can Speak Are Most Vulgar And Vile..

... which are cathartic, but not too productive.

-- Allen

[dsc]

4. thanks to the comments so far.

I will see about submitting it to DU and truthout. And yes, you can put it on the Kerry blog. I thought about this all day. I cried and couldn't sleep last night. Today I am angry and strident.

[Cleita]

5. Damn right.

No gay person ever hurt me. As a matter of fact, my gay hair stylist made me look prettier, and my gay waiter always made sure my meal was satisfactory. My gay boss helped me over rough spots, so why would I want to keep something from them that I take for granted, the right and privilege of marriage. Not only that why don't my gay friends always have the same right I do to police protection from those who would assault me because they don't agree with me.

So why can't the President of the United States recognize how wrong he is.

[Q3JR4]

6. Very well said.

[Traje]

7. I wonder...

... what the point is? These conservative world-leaders (Bush, Howard, Berlusconi et al) continue their fascist, anti-freedom tirades while brainless, zombie-like voters lap it all up like a starving cat before a saucer of cream.

Ever since the 11th of September, these powerful individuals have gained an even greater stranglehold over the political discourse. I wonder how long it will be before people start to realise what they're getting themselves into? Will we be alive then? It's so depressing.

[sweetheart]

8. brilliant and outstanding

Please please email this to newspapers far and wide... make sure you include germany: bildt, france: le monde, britain: guardian, independent, financial times.

I have one edit that i would adjust... this sentence is not true in its entirity. "And similarly the fact you are an unelected fraud isn't why you don't get to take them away." By the rule of american law, he was elected... like it or not... as much as myself i loathe the fact of the election fraud. Perhaps an adjustment of these few words makes the entire peice ring 100% true.

Brilliant and outstanding work.

It is my honour to know such great human beings,

namaste,
-sweetheart

[Kellanved]

31. no, not the Bild

The bild is a reactionary tabloid. Better use the Taz (AKA Tageszeitung) and the Süddeutsche Zeitung ; maybe the Frankfurter Rundschau.

[dsc]

39. I aprreciate the compliment

but I would have no clue how to submit this to publications that are in German or French. I speak neither language at all.

[sweetheart]

41. use email

They speak english and will translate it for you. You live behind enemy lines in america where human rights are "optional" France is "the enemy" because those rights are not optional.

No shit, if you get the peice out there (perhaps chaning the bit that is not true from the note like " election fraud" instead of unelected.... you will discover open arms.

Any gay publication the world over will take it... and a little web searching 'll narrow that down for you... kellenved will translate it i'm sure for any german publications... just PM... i am not multilingual, relying on my partner... and geez, if you need a french or german translation, i'm sure i can get one for you if you need.

Seriously, don't be intimidated... get it out to your allies and freinds... just because gondor is under attack, call on rohan.!!

[bleedingheart]

9. Why is common law marriage okay but gay marriage isn't?

that is my big problem...

Why is it okay for a hetero couple to live together and after so many years (about 7..)and they are recognized as a common law marriage?

Yet a gay couple who wants to commit legally to one another is discriminated against because some people with hang ups about sex are just too prudish.

My brother and his partner are very happy ...why shouldn't they marry? They have been together longer than many hetero couples I know.

[Traje]

10. Because...

... they want to keep themselves in power.

The conservative, white, hetero Christians see themselves as the inherent masters of the world. If they dare to allow anything with which they have a personal hang-up, it threatens their ability to shove their opinions and power down society's collective throat.

It is fear. They are afraid of people acting and believing differently. They set to lose nothing material (or spiritual or civil) by allowing Same-Sex marriage. They simply don't want to lose their power-trip.

[Lefty48197]

11. When they came for me

there was nobody left to protest.

[RedSox02]

12. Here is one straight American who is with you!

I am not a homosexual, but I have been so outraged over this. You took the words out of my mouth. WHat Bush did was pure cowardice. He knows he can get away with it, so he slaps a minority group in the face, just to score political points with a whackjob base. That's all it was about. The average dumb American won't get outraged over this. Only the Dems. Meanwhile his Far right base will say, "A Ha! He is one of us!" Then Cal THomas and Jerry Falwell can talk about what great principles our Christian President has.

To call out a group of Americans in your biggest speech of the year and say basically that you want to keep them relegated to second class status is beyond the pale. I want to see a candidate with the guts to call out President Bush on this.

Oh you have no idea, I want to go right up to that mans face and tell him what a gutless act he pulled last night. I want to see the classic Chimpy look of horror in his face when he gets called on his BS. I want to see that Barbara B*tch meanstreak in him come out. Heck I am not even gay and this fires me up.

Your right, what a gutless and downright sh*tty thing to do as the President of this "free" country.

Here is one straight American who is with you!

[calimary]

13. A thing of beauty, dsc. I'm keeping a copy of it. Gorgeously said.

It should be run in additional places.

I, too, am outraged, from the get-go of this Schmuck in the people's house.

I, too, am outraged, on behalf of my children (who aren't gay) and other people's children (who are). I'm pissed for my friends, my artist pal who's in her third trimester, after artificial insemination - one of the loveliest, most cultured, and most kind people I've ever known. I'm insensed for my buddy who struggled for years to gain a foothold in radio news, where he was overlooked repeatedly despite being the best relief pitcher the newsroom ever had. I'm mad as hell for my good friend (since we were both 16) who is still getting the runaround after being seriously physically assaulted by a former partner, because the authorities sniffed it off as just another gay pissing match. I'm steamed about all the people who've been given shit treatment and lack of respect, discriminated against and looked down upon because of something that is no fault of theirs. I mean for crying out loud, it's like this is the new communism or something.

Anyway, dsc, if you do plan to fight Mr. "I'm a uniter, not a divider" in the gutters where he chooses to take you, please make sure I'm around when you do. While you're pulling on him from one side, I'll be pushing against him from the other. With everything I've got.

Show him the DOOR in 2004! WHOEVER is running against bush in November will get my vote.

edit for spelling

[dsc]

28. thank you

your post is quite well written itself.

[David Zephyr]

14. Good Stuff, DSC.

I know you know I am so-so on marriage, but big on civil unions and all the rights that go with it.

Great commentary. I like this side of you a lot.

"Who are we? We teach your kids and fix your cars. We cook your food, and invest your money. We grace your screen and landscape your yards. We cut your hair and quarterback your team. We have organized the Continental Army, painted the Sistine Chapel, cracked the Enigma, represented you in the Texas House, and even defended the country in your absence without leave in Alabama."

And you are right, Bush is a bully...and, as we know, all bullies are really cowards, huh?

:hi:

[dsc]

15. Thanks I am done with the old style

It is war now and time for war time style. I am so angry I had to become a gay person first instead of an American first.

[Traje]

17. If this is a war...

... I think I'm the quiet guy who ends up going crazy.

[mitchtv]

16. thank you,

I intend to send this to all I know.

[Walt Starr]

18. Bravo!

I'm speechless.

[dsc]

19. Thank you

I just couldn't get this out of my mind all day. I know I can be obsessive but I am just so outraged.

[Terran]

20. Very VERY well said.

Thank you for stating what I was feeling, and so eloquently.

Dirk

[dsc]

22. thank you

I hate being this angry but that is life. I am more determined than ever before to see my candidate win.

[Kazak]

21. Nicely done!

:thumbsup:

[dawn]

25. That was awesome! n.t

[kurtyboy]

26. I'd like to be able to use this text---

One of the better responses to the Defense of Marriage bulls**t I've seen.

Outstanding piece of work, made me shiver. Thanks.

Kurt

[dsc]

27. Of course as long as I get attribution

anything to defeat that bastard.

[vanityfair]

29. dsc...

Excellent essay! The mods should publish this. Very eloquent.

[radfringe]

30. thumbs up, dsc!

meanwhile - it looks like it will be an issue during '04 campaign season... get ready for the repugs to roll out the "family value" tank

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Dems need to reframe the issue - it's NOT family values, it's about valueing families ALL families

talking abut family values is just that - talk - repugs have consistently cut and slashed programs that help families - in other words -- repugs don't VALUE FAMILIES


Ohio Senate passes gay-marriage ban
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/01/22/loc_gaymarriage.html
By Jordan Gentile
Enquirer Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Senate narrowly passed a far-reaching ban on same-sex marriages Wednesday, just one day after President Bush signaled he would fight to create a constitutional amendment to do the same.

The bill, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, looks like it's on a fast track to becoming law. The House approved a similar bill last year, and Gov. Bob Taft has pledged to sign a gay marriage ban. First, the bill goes back to the House.

State Rep. Bill Seitz, a Green Township Republican who sponsored the bill, said he was "elated" at the prospect of Ohio being the 38th state to pass the Defense of Marriage Act. "It's gigantic step toward strengthening the traditional view of marriage," Seitz said.

----snip----

The state has never recognized same-sex unions, but Seitz and other conservatives say a more explicit law is needed to prevent married gay couples recognized in other states from being treated as such in Ohio. That bill would also bar health, pension and other benefits to unmarried partners of state employees.

Ohio is only the second state, after Nebraska, that would prohibit benefits for state employees' unmarried partners, according to Seth Kilbourn, national field director for the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based gay and lesbian lobbying group.

[RapidCreek]

32. Beautifully stated my friend!

Eloquent and stirring. I'll stand with you all the way.

RC

[terrya]

34. This is one of the most remarkable, eloquent statements I've ever read.

Thank you, dsc. Thank you.

Terry

[terrya]

35. May I ask you a favor, dsc?

I'd like to email this to the White House. I sincerely doubt if HE would ever read this himself...but I think it's important that someone over there reads it.

I won't if you have any objections.

Thank you again for a very thoughtful, eloquent statement of principles.

Terry

[dsc]

38. Of course

I have already but the more the merrier.

[MotorCityMan]

36. Beautifully said

Great post.

I knew this was coming. * doesn't have squat to run on, and I knew this was going to be made a big issue. I didn't think they would have the balls to use the SOTU to make the battle so public, but of course they have no shame.

I am just disgusted.

[lapislzi]

37. dsc, you ROCK!

:kick:

[Terran]

40. a kick for this remarkable piece! n/t

[dsc]

42. a weekend kick

[dsc]

43. kick

[dsc]

44. kick

[Nobody]

45. What an excellent response!

There are only two arguments that I have seen against making marriage legal for same sex couples.

1) Religious. Unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment by making a law favoring a particular religious belief.

2) Marriage is for reproduction. Wrong, because that would outlaw marriage between any couple including a post-menopausal woman, or a person who has either had a vasectomy or had their tubes tied, or someone who knows that due to whatever cause they are infertile.

I have yet to see any other argument.

I am with you all the way. There is no way I can go along with restricting rights and making certain Americans second class citizens. As a woman, I'm damn glad our grandmothers won the right to vote, because if we had to have that fight today, the Bush Junta would stump for a Constitutional amendment defining a male-only vote.

This administration has got to go. I'd have preferred it to be in 2000, but I'll settle for 2004.

My question to the cowards of the Rights Restricting Right is this: In what way do committed same-sex married couples threaten your marriage?

[sweetheart]

46. One of the best posts i've ever seen on DU, this is.

You've got the issue in the crosshairs, where "we" can drive this next election's turf for warfare.

They are making a formal public bid to pervert the constituion to attack the civil liberties of gay people, to push fundamentalist moralism in to the constituion and to create a theocracy.

This issue is the winning ground of the next election. You are dead on dsc.